Vietnam / Cambodia / Thailand next year

danandjens_worldtravels

Hmm difficult - Vietnam and Cambodia for me

Vietnam for the modern history, landscape and travelling experience of a Communist country and Cambodia for the people, history (both modern and ancient) and the 'feel' of the place as a new nation coming to terms with a difficult past.

Doshwaster

maggiesoop wrote: »

Wow, just logged on! Thanks guys, really appreciate the time and effort put into your advice and links. Will have a look at everything in depth over the weekend. The main thread seems to be not to visit all 3 but I really doubt we'll be back so would appreciate which 2 to visit if one had to choose. The scenery and people being more important than standard of hotel.

Bear in mind that the visa costs for Vietnam are about £50 each while Cambodia is US$20 and Thailand is free so it really doesn't make sense to go to Vietnam for a few days.

PompeyPete

maggiesoop wrote: »

Wow, just logged on! Thanks guys, really appreciate the time and effort put into your advice and links. Will have a look at everything in depth over the weekend. The main thread seems to be not to visit all 3 but I really doubt we'll be back so would appreciate which 2 to visit if one had to choose. The scenery and people being more important than standard of hotel.
Thanks again.

Any chance of a few clicks on the Thanks icon before we invest any more time on your behalf?;)

Doshwaster

totallybored wrote: »

Cambodia and Thailand! I did both this summer for 3 weeks (mainly Cambodia but started and ended in Bangkok) and last year I went on my own and did all 3 including a beach in Thailand. I preferred Cambodia over Vietnam. The people are much nicer and I found it much less touristy. I think I might have done a trip report for my solo trip so have a search through my old posts.

Here it is: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/55464191#Comment_55464191

I remember the thread well. I didn't realise that it was so long ago.

PompeyPete

Yep, a good fun read too.

bylromarha

maggiesoop wrote: »

Wow, just logged on! Thanks guys, really appreciate the time and effort put into your advice and links. Will have a look at everything in depth over the weekend. The main thread seems to be not to visit all 3 but I really doubt we'll be back so would appreciate which 2 to visit if one had to choose. The scenery and people being more important than standard of hotel.

Thanks again.

Think it depends what sort of person you are.

Cambodia and Vietnam for me I think. Certainly get into Cambodia now - it's going through rapid change at the moment and it isn't the same country I visited in 2007. My return visits showed how quick the country is moving.

Saying that, it is an amazing part of the world. Just plan a trip back at some point in the future to pick up the country you miss out this time.

totallybored

bylromarha wrote: »

Think it depends what sort of person you are.

Cambodia and Vietnam for me I think. Certainly get into Cambodia now - it's going through rapid change at the moment and it isn't the same country I visited in 2007. My return visits showed how quick the country is moving.

Saying that, it is an amazing part of the world. Just plan a trip back at some point in the future to pick up the country you miss out this time.

I agree, Phnom Penh seemed to be changing when I was there this year to what is was last year. The road from the airport was full of construction for BMW and luxury car showrooms. Not full of cars either but huge SUVs. I stayed in a hotel near the Russian market so not a particularly tourist part of PP to stay and a street nearby had Japanese and other restaurants. There were so many SUVs parked one evening on the surrounding streets it was bizarre, there were more than in parts of Chelsea.

Is definitely recommend Cambodia sooner rather than later. I want to go back again. I thought Vietnam was ok and Hoi An was my favourite place there but I definitely prefer Cambodia.

bylromarha

totallybored wrote: »

I agree, Phnom Penh seemed to be changing when I was there this year to what is was last year. The road from the airport was full of construction for BMW and luxury car showrooms. Not full of cars either but huge SUVs. I stayed in a hotel near the Russian market so not a particularly tourist part of PP to stay and a street nearby had Japanese and other restaurants. There were so many SUVs parked one evening on the surrounding streets it was bizarre, there were more than in parts of Chelsea.

Is definitely recommend Cambodia sooner rather than later. I want to go back again. I thought Vietnam was ok and Hoi An was my favourite place there but I definitely prefer Cambodia.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

There WAS no road to the airport when I went in 2007. Just a wide bumpy gravel track. Remember it well cos we bizarrely took 2 tuk tuks and my bag kept bumping my knees!

Couldn't believe the changes and how fast they are moving each time I visit. Summer 2014 is the next planned time in PP, although with OHs job situation it looks like it may not happen

PompeyPete

totallybored wrote: »

I agree, Phnom Penh seemed to be changing when I was there this year to what is was last year. The road from the airport was full of construction for BMW and luxury car showrooms. Not full of cars either but huge SUVs. I stayed in a hotel near the Russian market so not a particularly tourist part of PP to stay and a street nearby had Japanese and other restaurants. There were so many SUVs parked one evening on the surrounding streets it was bizarre, there were more than in parts of Chelsea.

First time we visited PP was in 2010, and we stayed at the Blue Lime.

Believe it or not but we walked all the way from the Blue Lime to the Russian Market, and as we were melting on our way we came across loads of places with hundreds of luxury cars. Just because the showrooms weren't apparent it doesn't mean that the vehicles were there.

PompeyPete

bylromarha wrote: »

There WAS no road to the airport when I went in 2007. Just a wide bumpy gravel track. Remember it well cos we bizarrely took 2 tuk tuks and my bag kept bumping my knees!

A tuk tuk from the airport into town is a great introduction to PP.

The road between PP and SR is in perfect condition. But it lacks one major thing, and that's a concrete central barrier to separate the opposite lanes.

There's carnage all the time. So if your do the road trip the bigger the vehicle the better, and don't sit at the front as you become part of thrill-a-minute battle of wits between oncoming drivers, and the plethora of other obstacles on wheels or 2 or 4 legs that appear out of nowhere!